Free sanitary products are to be made available in secondary schools and colleges across England from September.

The measure was announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond in a short Spring Statement on Wednesday, March 13.

Addressing MPs, he congratulated those who had campaigned for the provision, adding that Education Secretary Damian Hinds would give further details in due course.

Mr Hammond said: "In response to rising concern by headteachers that some girls are missing school attendance due to inability to afford sanitary products, I have decided to fund the provision of free sanitary products in secondary schools and colleges in England from the next school year."

To tackle period poverty in schools, the Department for Education will lead work to develop a national scheme to ensure the provision of free sanitary products to girls in secondary schools.

A spokesman for the National Association for Head Teachers said they welcomed the move, saying it was "the right thing to do".

However, while the National Education Union (NEU) also welcomed the move, it expressed disappointment that school funding was not addressed.

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Joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: "Parents, teachers, heads, school staff and MPs from across the House will be dismayed that the Chancellor did not address the national school funding crisis.

"Philip Hammond's boast that the economy is in recovery prompts the question of why he cannot address the issue of school funding now.

"Following his 'little extras' gaffe last year, it remains the case that the Chancellor is out of touch with the issues schools face on a daily basis.

"There is nothing new for children with SEND (special educational needs and disability) who are not getting adequate provision, nor for teachers who use their own money to resource lessons, or headteachers with difficult decisions to make around the lengths of the school day.

"The Chancellor had an opportunity today to end uncertainty for schools about budget planning. He failed."